Extensible conveyer



July 27, 1948. A. MAPES EXTENSIBLE CONVEYER 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 17, 1946 July 27, 1948. V 1.. A. MAPES EXTENSIBLE COIVEYER 2 Sheet-Sheet 2 Filed April 17, 1946 INVENTOR if 14/74/ 55 BY Q ATTORNEY Patented July 27, 1948 UNITED; STATES-PATENT OFFICE v EXTENSIBLE CONVEYER Leslie AMapes PaIisade, N. J.

Application April 1'7, 1946, Serial No. 662,717

3 Claims. (01.193-35) This invention relates to conveyors in general and more especially to conveyors of thetype extensively used for transferring cargo to or from a vessel, a truck or the like. I

Among the objects of the present invention, itis aimed to provide an improved cargo transferring conveyor of the type used for transferrin cargo to or from a vessel, truck or the like and which is characterized by cargo supporting means such as cylinders or spaced rollers which. are rotatably mounted on extensible telescoping frames.

These and other features, capabilities and ad vantages of the invention will appear from the,

subjoined detail description of specific embodiments thereofillustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a longitudinal section of one embodiment of the conveyor, in extended or expanded position. I

Fig. 2 is a slightly enlarged section of the conveyor illustrated in Fig. 1 in collapsed or closed position.

Fig. 3 is a fragmental longitudinal section on a larger scale than that shown in Fig. 2, showing the conveyor partly collapsed or contracted.

Fig. 4 is a sectionon the line 4-4 of Fig. 1.

Fig.5 is a section on the line 5-5 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 6 is a section on the line 6-6 of Fig. 1.

Fig. '7 is a transverse section on a larger scale than that. shown in Fig. 3 showing the three telescoping members nested within. one another.

Fig. 8 is a fragmental section similar to Fig. 3 of i a second embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 9 is a fragmental plan of a further em- I bodiment of the invention.

Fig. 10 is a ,i'ragmental enlarged line Ill-46 ofFig. 9. i

In the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 to 7, inclusive, there is shown a conveyor consisting of a plurality of sections, three .sectionsl, 2 and 3 being shown inthe. present instance. Intheir most contractedor collapsed position thev three sections nest into. one another, see Figs, 2 and '7, withthe section I in the outermost position, the "section 3-in the innermost position, and the section 2 disposed betweenthe two sections l and 3. The telescoping sections I, Zand 3 constitute the rigid structural portions which are mounted to slide into one another. and connected by two collapsible chains 4 and 5; each consisting of a plurality of link 6 which are slot and pin connected tooneanother. I

The sections I,.2 and 3 are substantially. identical to one another, with the exception thattheir dimensions vary. to facilitate telescoping them section on the into one another into the nested position shown in Fig. 2. As an instance, the outermost section I has two side casings I and 8, each having an upper U-shaped curved portion 9, and adownwardly extending U-shaped curved portion Ill with the supports II secured near the free ends of the section I and extending downwardly from the U- shaped members 9 and III,.see Figs. 1 and 7. At the outermost ends of the section I, crbssbarsv I2 and H2 are provided extending from the inner webs I3 of the U-shaped portions Ill, see Fig. '7.

Sections 2 and 3, as aforesaid, are substantially identical to section I, except that for the section 2, the upper U-shaped portions I4 are smaller than the U-shaped portions 9 tofit into the same, and that the downwardly extending U -shaped portions I5 are smaller than the upwardly extending portions III to fit into the same, andthat the crossbars I6 and H6 connecting the inner webs I1 and the U-shaped portions I5 are longer than the crossbars I2 and H2, see Fig. 3.

In turn, for the section 3, the upper U-shaped portions I B are smaller thanthe U-shaped portions I4 to fit into the same, the downwardlyextending portions I9 are smaller than the downwardly extending portions IE to fit into the same, and the cross bars 20 and I 20 connecting the webs 2I of the U-shaped portions I9 to one another are longer than the crossbars I6 and 6,. see Fig. 3.

As shown in Fig. 1, the casings I and} of the section I also have legs or supports 22 extending downwardly from the inner end thereof, substantially identicalin length and shape to the legs II. Theend of the section 2 which extends beyond the section I is provided with legs or supports 23.extending downwardly from the casings I4 thereof. 1 In turn, the free end of the section .3 is provided with legs or supports extending down wardly from the casings I9. In the present instance, the. crossbar I6 is provided with a downwardly extending lug 2 IE to be engaged by the crossbar I I2 in the position shown in Fig. 1 to limit the outward movement of the section 2, and the crossbar 20 is provided with a downwardly extending lug 220 to be engaged by the crossbar III; in the position shown in Fig. 1 to limit the outward movement of the section 3. In their collapsed position, in turn, the lug 2I6 will engage the crossbar I2 to limit the inward movement of the section 2 and the lug 220 will engage the lug 2I6 on the crossbar I6 to limit the inward movement of the section 3. I

The portions 9, I4 and I8 are formed U-shaped in al nem to provide chambers for the rollers 25 and the portions I, I and I9 are similarly U-shaped to form chambers to accommodate the free ends of the links 6 when the sections I, 2 and 3 are telescoped or nested into one another in collapsed position, that shown in Fig. 7.

At the ends of the chains 4 and 5, there are provided, see Figs. 1 and 4, the shafts 21. The ends of the shaft ZJ at one end of, the chains! and 5 extend through the U-shaped portions 9 and haveat their outer ends suitable securing means, such as the cotter pins 28. Similarly, the

ends of the shaft 21 at the other ends of the chains 4 and 5 extend through the ends of; the.

U-shaped portions I8 at the free end of the,

section 3 and have securing means, such'as'th'e 3, are provided with the longitudinally extending slots I02 and I03. Similarly, in order to clear the v iendslof the shaft 21 at the right hand end of cotter pins 28, secured theretoasee-Fig,Minter;

mediate the shafts 21, there are provided the mounted on the ends of the shafts 29, which shafts 29', however' are not journalled in anyof the U-shaped-pOrtions. '9, I I4 and I8, the rollers 25 bein'g 'fre to move or roll in the chambers rqhheq infthe U-sh'aped portions: 9, I14 and I8. The' sl'iaftsf29, Fig." 7, havemounted thereon the ball bearing units 30 and '31 to which in turn are connected'thEnds 'offthe' cylinders 32 so that the cylinders 32 inthis embodiment may cone s't'itute the 'car'go'supports andare freely rotatable onithe -shafts' fll through theball bearingunits 30jand 3|. I I

'Y The portions of the shafts/'29 dlsposed'betw'een theendrollers' 25' and the portionsof the shafts 2*1 exter 11ding from link 6 to link 6 preferably are han -ana see the cross se'ction of theshafts 2l'andj2'9in lligs'.3 and7.'

, The chains 4 and 5 are I, V substantially identical to one another, 'each' having the same number oif'llink'sf the present instance, the links 0 are providedwithgextended elongated arcuate slQt 33 which extend from 'the-le'ft ha'n'd ends offth'e links is over'twoethirds of the lengths'of the links, and at the right hand; end of the links li ea'cli link is'provided with a, hexagonal opening to receive a' hexagonal -portion of'ash'aft' 21' or Inlas senibled position, thesuc'ces's'iva links 6': are 'stag'gered relative to one'anoth'er so that the first link Eat the left hand end of'Figs. l and 3- has 'the first shaft 21 extend through" its slot 33 and its right hand end fixedly mountedbn the secor id ;sha ft"2 9, which shaft 29, however, extends through the slot 33 of thesecond linli' 6; with the first, third and, odd h mbered ks 6 jtwithohe another, and to th'e rearin Rig}. 1, While the second, fourth a'ndeven nurnbered l'inkfs' s are in ali n e nient witii'onean'other,

a'n'd' to the front ofth'eodd numbered links 6 in Fig.1, H

In; the open or exten ed position I of the sections I", 2a nd3, 'Figi l, the left hand-ends of the Slots of the links 6 Will'engage the shafts" 29 and the shaft atltheleft 'hand'endofseetion I, while m the collapsedor' contracted position, the right hand ends of the s10ts3;3"of the links-Swill n age the; shafts '20 and the shaft '2 I at the left han'dendjofsectif lfsee'the left hand end of Fig. 1,'when' t eme endso'fthe li'nks'fi willext h'dfqcwn into the-U-sha'ped chamrber's'of the l J,-s'haped portions I9ofsction'3, see Fig. 7

The"hexagonal cross section of" the shafts 2'! and by being'fixed to one pair of links, one of 'th. hair1*4 and'one link ii'ofthechain 5', willmaintain 'th'ese two links 6 in alinernent with one anotherand thereby maintain the two chains 4' ands in ali'nement with onea'nother.

section 3,,.wh en the sections I, 2 and 3 are in telescoped' or contracted position, the right hand ends of thesections I and 2 are preferably provided yvith longitudinally extending slots, such anchor-edto one another.

astheslots I04 and I05 in the sections 2 and 3. The embodiment shown in Fig. 8, differs from the embodiment shown inFigs. 1; Zgand 3fipiimarily in that theskirts or"'downwardly-extend ing U-shape'd: portions. I0, I 5 and Ware omittedj as well as the crossbars I-Z, lfiand" 20;?and: the end members; 35ancli36 of'th'esections' 31:38 and 30' have rollers40 formed on the ends of the shafts 4|. As 'aninstance, 'herethe rollers 40" are substantially spherical-insteadof mainly cylindrio'al as is'the cas'ewith'the rollers 25 0f "the'enibodiment shown'in Fig. 7,'and these substantially spherical rollers 40' are anchored to travel in the chambers formed in theendmem'ber's 34;'35'-'and 36 by'virtue-pf tl'ie confifg'urati'dn of theer'idmet n bers '34:, 35 and 36 havinerest cte'd'neck'j or tions '42." Furthermore; the chambers the em; members 34, 35 and 36 preferablyhave"a"diain eter greater than"- the diameter of their restricted neckpoit'ions 42; aha" aiso greater than the' d am eter of the rollers 40 to enable the rollersll0 may to rotate ih saia hamher's.' I

Preferably the endmenibe'rs 34, 35 and iidhave legs 43 such as the legs II, 22, 23and off the embodiment illus'tratedin Fig. I connected to one another by'the cross bars QB'sh'niIar'to metros-s; bars I2, I Fand 6'0, bii'tf cleaiirigthe'free ends of the links 44 in contracted 'pos'ition 'whereby the pairs of end n'i'embers' 34; 35' and '36" are Lln' th'i's embodiment,"whileithesh'afts '4 l prere ably are rounded to receive the rollers 40, b'etween the rollers 40" these shafts II are also hexagonal in cross section "so that the linksjj are mounted" on the shafts 411s themanner illustrated and described-with regardto th'f'ernbodiment of Fig. 1. In "collapsedpositionjh ly v ever; thefree ends ofthe links iQfwi lljhz tng in space and not be enclosed as in the case with'th'e hhks 'e r theembodir'n-nt illustratd m ne; '7. 'r-he embodimentillustrated in Figs 9 and 10 differs fromthe embodimentsh'own in Figi'l in another respecti In" this embodiment instead of the cylinders 32 forin'ingthacargo supporting means, theshafts 45"are provided "with rollers o r collarsdd'which are staggered relatlvetofoneam of the embodiment shown in Fig. 3, all other dimensions being substantially equal.

It is obvious that various changes and modifi cations may be made to the details of construction without departing from the general spirit of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. The combination of a plurality of sections telescopically slidable into one another, each section including a pair of side casings, crossbars connecting each pair of side casings to one another, cargo supporting rotatable means, shafts operably associated with said rotatable means, rollers at the ends of said shafts mounted in said side casings, and a pair of chains for operatively connecting said shafts to one another, each chain including links secured at one end to one of said shafts and slidably mounted on an adjacent shaft, the ends of the chains being connected to the outer ends of the end sections, said chains enabling said sections to be telescoped into one another in closed position, and also to be extended into expanded or open position.

2. In a conveyor, the combination of a plurality of sections, each section including a pair of side casings, the side casings of the successive sections on each side forming a set telescopically slidable into one another, each of said side casings having an upper laterally extending U-shaped portion and a downwardly extending U-shaped portion, means connecting each pair of side casings to one another, cargo supporting rotatable means, shafts operatively associated with said rotatable means, rollers on the ends of said sh'afts being rotatably mounted in the laterally extending U-shaped portions, and chains connected at their ends to the free ends of the end side casings, said chains including links, each link being connected at one end to a shaft and having a slot to slidably receive a succeeding shaft, the slots in said links cooperating with said shafts to enable said sections to be telescoped into one another in closed position when said links will be suspended in said downwardly extending U-shaped portions, the slots also cooperating with said shafts to enable said sections to be extended into expanded or open position.

, 3. In a conveyor, the combination of a plurality of sections, each section including a pair of side casings, the side casings of the successive sections on each side forming a set telescopically slidable into one another, each of said side casings: having an upper laterally extending U-shaped portion and a downwardly extending U-shaped portion,

crossbars connecting each pair of side casings to one another, cargo supporting rotatable means, shafts operatively associated with said rotatable means, rollers on the ends of said shafts being rotatably mounted in the laterally extending U- shaped portions, chains connected at their ends to the free ends of the end side casings, said chains including links, each link being connected at one end to a shaft and having a slot to slidably REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 872,856 Spence Dec. 3, 1907 1,041,439 Dearborn Oct. 15, 1912 

